Steering Group #4

First Meeting

Minutes – August 25, 2003

 

 

Want

·        Stop "slamming" Planning and Development staff and department

·        Build appreciation of the work P&D does

·        A plan to improve process that works

·        Interest in this process-can share with the City of Goleta and others

·        Partner with media

·        Have effect by participating and making it more understandable

·        Process helps morale of staff

·        Creative tension — different ideas

·        Transitions, skill sets development for staff

·        Explore ways to improve processes

·        Promotional development

·        Get information out and available

·        More tools and training for planners

·        Concrete/useful tools and materials for staff (e.g., retention of staff)

 

Don't want

·        Lip service and then goes away

·        Unusable documents and processes that don't make a difference

·        A process that ends up creating more layers or processes that result in more of a burden rather than a help

·        A more complicated process

·        Process to fall apart or lose steam or nothing happens (i.e., not being able to come up with something)

·        Not the status quo

·        Vague direction/information

·        No change after all the meetings and effort

·        Lack of usefulness

·        More bad media representation

 

Ground Rules

·        Determine decision-making processes with aim of consensus

·        Efficient use of time

·        An open process, with agreement among our members on what gets communicated outside

·        No idea is a bad one, until we agree within our process

·        "Safe" environment

·        Respectful interactions, ideas, opinions

-         All voices get a chance to be heard

·        Summary at end of each meeting

-         Limit interruptions (100 mile rule)

-         Self monitoring

·        Follow through on our commitments

·        Punctuality

·        Stay focused on our agreed-upon goals